Churches Join Together to Help Local Communities through ACTC, Assistance Center of Towson Churches

As part of the annual 2024 Thanksgiving Basket Drive of the Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC), Central Presbyterian members donated groceries to provide over 162 bags of food. Central was part of 50+ churches that provided over 2,300 bags for families in the Towson area, which also included turkeys donated by GBMC. 

Central member and ACTC volunteer Candy Perkinson, who has been actively involved with ACTC over the past 16 years, coordinated the communication aspects of the ACTC Thanksgiving Basket Drive. She reached out to the many church partners and preschools to ensure a strong participation and helped manage communication of the event. Central staff member Crystal Nwachu organized Central’s donation baskets to make sure there were consistent amounts of the same foods in each basket. The collection of baskets was truly a group effort to support our neighbors in need.  

For many years, Central Church volunteers have served at ACTC in various ways. Youth members have prepared sandwiches to be given out Monday through Friday at the ACTC walk up door for homeless men, women and children. During COVID, donation sites for non-perishable food were set up in the surrounding neighborhoods to collect items for the bags of food that are distributed each weekday at ACTC in Towson on Allegheny Avenue. 

Central members Steve Nelson and Dan Schulze currently volunteer weekly at ACTC to meet with food insecure individuals and families. Non-perishable food and fresh foods are provided in amounts depending on the size of the families. The groceries are available for pick-up every two weeks. Bag lunches are provided 5 days a week for homeless men and women.

Steve and Dan have volunteered at ACTC for many years after retiring from their full-time jobs. Central members June Comegys, Dick Williams and Maria Wetherington inspired them to volunteer at the center. Both Steve and Dan shared that they wanted to help serve needy families–especially with food–without judgment. Steve shared that before COVID, he enjoyed being able to sit down with the clients, get to know them, and pray with them if desired. After COVID, the ability to have conversations was more limited for safety reasons and efficiency. Dan enjoys interacting with the clients and providing a choice of food as available. Steve has Matthew 25:35-40 as his guide to feed the hungry, and Dan comments  “it is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35).

ACTC also helps people who need ID cards and birth certificate identification. Toiletries, hats and gloves are given out to those in need. For people who are newly released from the Towson Detention Center, a bag of essentials such as new sheets, pillow, blanket and towels are given out as a “Welcome Back to the Community” gift. Vouchers allow clients and their children to visit the Surprise Shop for clothing, shoes and coats. 

Steve describes his work as a way to bring some “sunshine to the lives of those living on the fringe.” Dan mentioned that the clients are so appreciative of all the food and care that is provided. Prologue, a nearby resource, can provide a shower, let people get out of the elements during the day and provide a place to cook food. Financial help is limited by grant money. Local groceries and restaurants donate food that is nearly out-of-date. 

Central Presbyterian Elder Jess Gardner is a member of the ACTC Board of Directors that supports facilities and finances. His guiding Scripture is Matthew 14:17-21, “the feeding of the 5,000.”  “My first impression of ACTC was that they fed hundreds of people with what appeared to be few resources,” said Jesse. “The food just multiplies!” For those who are interested in volunteering, Jesse suggests taking a tour of the center. 

Donations of time, money, groceries, sandwiches, hats and gloves, and prayers are always helpful. Meeting with  financially insecure individuals and families, packing bags of food, making sandwiches, picking up food from local groceries or restaurants, stocking shelves and many different aspects of help are greatly appreciated. 

If you would like to volunteer, contact Steve Nelson, Dan Schulze, Candy Perkinson or Jesse Gardner.